2nd helicopter crash in Cobb in 2 weeks

By LARRY HARTSTEIN and ALYSE KNORR

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Steve Bell, 31, and Ruben Vanegas, 47, were checking power lines when their civilian helicopter crashed crashed in Acworth early Wednesday morning.

The accident occurred around 10:10 a.m. behind the Huddlestone Bridge subdivision, near New McEver Road and Walforde Boulevard.

Bell and Vanegas were the only two onboard when, according to Bell, they heard a loud pop and experienced engine failure.

Acworth police, Cobb County police and Cobb County firefighters responded to the crash.

Both passenger and pilot were out of the helicopter when firefighters arrived at the scene, said Fire Department spokesman Daniel Dupree. There was no fire.

The helicopter crash-landed on the shore of the subdivision’s retention pond between the pond and a line of homes.

According to fire officials, they were taken to Kennestone Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officials at Kennestone WellStar report that Bell has been treated and discharged. There was no record, however, of anyone by the name of Vanegas being admitted.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

This accident marks the second Cobb County helicopter crash in two weeks.

On July 31, a helicopter went down at McCollum Field after hitting the wind sock mast. An adult and child on board suffered minor injuries.

--Alyse Knorr and Larry Hartstein contributed to this report.